Rhinoplasty or Nose Surgery

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed in order to improve the function and/or the appearance of a person's nose. Rhinoplasty can reshape the nose, make the nose larger or smaller, change the angle of the nose, alter the tip of the nose and correct bumps and other defects in the nose.

Rhinoplasty can be performed under a general or local anesthetic, depending on patient or doctor preference and generally completed as an outpatient procedure however, sometimes requires a one night stay in hospital or surgical center.

During rhinoplasty the surgeon makes incisions to access the bones and cartilage in the nose. A closed rhinoplasty involves incisions inside the nostrils and open rhinoplasty can be made by tiny incisions on the columella (skin that separates the nostrils). The surgeon separates soft tissues of the nose from the underlying structures and then reshapes the cartilage and bone to correct the deformity.

Rhinoplasty as mentioned can be carried out to improve the cosmetic appearance of the nose or to improve nasal breathing function by completing a septoplasty to straighten the nasal septum. Aft the end of surgery a splint is usually placed outside the nose to support the new shape of the nose as it heals as well as nasal packing inside the nose to provide additional support.

All surgical packing inside the nose is usually removed within a few days after surgery and the splint and bandaging around the nose is usually removed between 5 to 10 days. There may be some puffiness and bruising for several days as your nose heals. Cold compresses may help minimize swelling and reduce pain and your doctor may also recommend pain medication.